Klokov case in Barnaul Valeriy Klokov

 RUSSIA

Klokov case in Barnaul

Valeriy Klokov

Updated: October 9, 2023

Name: Klokov, Valeriy Valeriyevich

Date of Birth: August 16, 1985

Current status: accused

Article of the Russian Criminal Code: 282.2 (2)

Time spent in prison: 2 days in temporary holding facility, 70 days under house arrest

Current restrictions: house arrest

Biography

In the summer of 2023, peaceful believer Valery Klokov was subjected to criminal prosecution for his beliefs. Due to house arrest, the man lost his job, and it became more difficult for him to care for his elderly grandmother, who was seriously ill.

Valery was born in August 1985 in the city of Ekibastuz (Kazakhstan). He has two brothers and a sister. In 1996, the family moved from Kazakhstan to Russia. The father is no longer alive; he has not communicated with his son since he was seven years old. Valery's mother died of cancer when he was 14, and a month and a half later his stepfather left him.

As a child, Valery was interested in music and reading fiction, and loved to compose and perform songs on the guitar. He graduated with honors from a secondary school and with honors from a music school in accordion class.

Valery studied at the Altai Construction College and the Altai College of Architecture and Construction, specializing in plumbing and welding. He worked as a shoe repairman, and before the criminal prosecution, as a plumber.

While studying the Bible, Valery became convinced of its historical and scientific accuracy, as well as the practicality of its advice. All this prompted him to take the Christian path at a young age.

In 2004, Valery married Natalya, whom he had known since adolescence. She has worked as a cook, a salesperson, and most recently in cleaning and tidying. Natalya is interested in scrapbooking and soap making, and Valery still loves to read, write music and practice vocals.

Criminal prosecution disrupted the Klokovs’ usual way of life: due to the loss of his job, Valery cannot take care of the family’s material needs, and Natalya’s health problems have worsened. Living with the spouses is Grandmother Valeria, who is already approaching 90 and needs constant care and expensive medications. Her pension is not enough to even meet her basic needs.

Relatives of Valery and Natalya are perplexed as to how this respectable and law-abiding person can be subjected to criminal prosecution.

Brief history of the case

In Barnaul in the summer of 2023, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Jehovah's Witness Valery Klokov. His house was searched. After interrogation and two days in a temporary detention facility, the believer was placed under house arrest.

Criminal case

Region:

Altai Territory

Locality:

Barnaul

What is suspected:

“carried out actions to support the existence of the local religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses “Barnaul”, including by conducting conversations in order to promote the activities of this organization, participation in events held by representatives of the organization”

Criminal case number:

1230201002000019

Initiated:

July 10, 2023

Current stage of the case:

preliminary investigation

Investigates:

Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Altai Territory

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2)